Missouri Wrongful Death Lawyers Fighting for Families Who Have Lost Everything.
Lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence in Missouri? We help families find accountability and pursue the full compensation the law allows. Free consultation 24/7.
What Families Should Do
Steps Missouri Families Should Take After a Wrongful Death
Losing a family member is devastating. But certain steps protect your right to pursue justice and compensation under Missouri law.
Contact an attorney as soon as possible
The 3-year statute of limitations for wrongful death in Missouri is shorter than for personal injury. Evidence also disappears quickly. Do not wait to get legal advice.
Request copies of all official reports
Get the police report, accident report, autopsy report, and any other official documentation related to the death. These are critical pieces of your case.
Preserve all evidence
Do not repair or dispose of any vehicles, equipment, or property involved in the incident. Preserve all medical records, bills, and communications related to your loved one's death.
Document your family's losses
Keep records of funeral and burial expenses. Document lost income your loved one would have provided. Note the impact on each family member's life. These all factor into your damages.
Identify all family members who may have a claim
Missouri wrongful death law limits who can file. Spouses, children, and parents have priority. We explain exactly who qualifies and how to proceed together.
Do not speak to the responsible party's insurer
They will contact you quickly with condolences and possibly a settlement offer. Do not accept anything or give any statements without legal counsel.
Contact Missouri Injury Attorneys
We handle wrongful death cases with the care and urgency they deserve. Your consultation is always free and confidential.
Who Can File?
Missouri Wrongful Death Law: What You Need to Know
Missouri law gives specific family members the right to pursue wrongful death claims. Here is how it works.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Missouri
Missouri law creates a priority system. Class 1 is the surviving spouse, children, or grandchildren. Class 2 is the parents, siblings, or their descendants if there are no Class 1 survivors. Class 3 applies if no Class 1 or 2 survivors exist. Only one lawsuit is filed on behalf of all eligible survivors.
3-year statute of limitations
You have 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim in Missouri. This is shorter than the general 5-year personal injury limit. Missing this deadline means losing your right to sue.
What damages families can recover
Missouri wrongful death damages include funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, the value of lost services the deceased provided, loss of companionship, and in some cases the suffering the deceased endured before death. Punitive damages may be available if the conduct was especially egregious.
Causes that qualify for wrongful death
Any death caused by another party's negligence or intentional act can support a wrongful death claim. This includes car and truck accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, defective products, criminal violence, and premises liability.
Cases We Handle
Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in Missouri
We represent Missouri families who have lost loved ones due to another party's negligence or wrongful conduct.
How We Handle Your Case
What Happens After You Call Us
We handle wrongful death cases with the compassion and urgency they deserve. Here is what we do.
Free confidential consultation
We listen to what happened, explain your family's legal rights, and tell you honestly what a wrongful death claim may recover. There is no cost and no obligation.
Full investigation
We gather all evidence including accident reports, medical records, expert opinions, and witness statements to establish exactly why and how your loved one died.
Calculating full damages
We work with financial experts to calculate lost income, benefits, and the full value of your family's losses. We pursue every element of damages the law allows.
Demand, negotiation, and trial
We present a complete demand to the responsible party's insurer and negotiate hard for your family. If they will not pay fairly, we take them to court.
What Insurance Companies Do
How Insurers Handle Wrongful Death Claims in Missouri
Insurance companies are not on your side when you lose a loved one. Here is what they do.
Make early low settlement offers
Insurers know grieving families often need money quickly. They make fast low offers hoping you will accept before understanding the full value of your loss.
Dispute causation
Even when fault is clear, insurers may argue that their insured's actions did not actually cause the death. We use expert testimony and evidence to prove causation.
Minimize future lost income
Calculating the true value of a person's future financial contributions to a family requires financial experts. Insurers use their own calculations that favor them.
Try to split families against each other
Wrongful death claims require cooperation among eligible survivors. Insurers sometimes try to exploit disagreements within families to weaken the claim.
Local Resources
Wrongful Death Claims Across Missouri
Our wrongful death attorneys represent Missouri families in every county and city. Here is what families across Missouri need to know.
Wrongful death car and truck accident cases in Missouri
Traffic fatalities are one of the most common causes of wrongful death claims in Missouri. Whether the death occurred on I-70, a rural highway, or a city street, we investigate fully and pursue every responsible party including drivers, trucking companies, and government entities responsible for road conditions.
Wrongful death medical malpractice in Missouri
When a doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider's negligence causes a patient's death, the family may have a wrongful death claim. Missouri medical malpractice cases require expert medical testimony and careful handling of complex legal rules.
Wrongful death workplace accidents in Missouri
Families who lose a loved one in a workplace accident may have claims beyond workers compensation. If a third party such as an equipment manufacturer or contractor was responsible, we pursue that claim on your family's behalf.
Wrongful death nursing home negligence in Missouri
Nursing home neglect and abuse is a serious problem in Missouri. When a facility's failure to provide proper care results in a resident's death, the family may have a wrongful death claim. We hold negligent facilities accountable.
Have questions about a Missouri wrongful death case? Call us 24/7. Your first consultation is always free and completely confidential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Missouri Wrongful Death Claims
Still have questions? Call us any time. It is always free and confidential.
Missouri law gives priority to the surviving spouse, children, and grandchildren. If there are none, parents and siblings may file. Only one lawsuit is filed on behalf of all eligible family members.
Three years from the date of death. This is a hard deadline. Missing it means your family loses the right to sue. Contact us as soon as possible.
Families can recover funeral and burial costs, the deceased's lost income and benefits, the value of services they provided, loss of companionship and guidance, and in some cases the pain and suffering the deceased endured before death.
Missouri requires all wrongful death survivors to pursue one claim together. We help families navigate disagreements and make sure the process moves forward fairly for everyone.
Yes. A criminal case and a civil wrongful death claim are separate. Even if the responsible party is acquitted criminally, you can still win a civil wrongful death case because the burden of proof is lower.
Simple cases can settle in six to eighteen months. Complex cases involving serious disputes over liability or damages can take two to three years or more. We give your family an honest timeline from the start.
Ready to Pursue Justice for Your Family?
We handle wrongful death cases with the compassion and urgency your family deserves. Your consultation is always free and confidential.